Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A loss for words consumes me. I stand in disbelief. A change that was expected turns into horror and grief. My heart pours out to the family. They were expecting triple bundles of joy. Anticipating two bouncing boys and a giggling girl, exhausting nights and a world turned upside down. They are now left with a world upside down on the opposite end of the globe. Their three little tots were born on August 29, 2010. To our disbelief that very same day their lives were ended as they didn’t survive. What do you say to the family? No words seem to come out right. All I can think about is the family and know that the pain they are going through is a strenuous and suffering heart ache and fight. So to the three little ones Angel, Nathaniel and Matthew you will be remembered as previous little lives that were ended just as they were beginning. To the family my heart is bleeding, my eyes well up with tears, I am thinking about all of you constantly, and when you need us we will always be here.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Ok, so my best friend told me to try doing the outline of the logo in the vinyl, paint the right color and then take off the negative... does that make sense? Well I forgot to take pictures, but lets just say it took two coats, so I had to wait until it was dry and it lifted the paint right off the tile. :o(

So back to trying a different top coat to seal and be thicker. Bought a tripple coat sealer from Walmart and went to go try it... the neadle section was broken off the top of it. So I tried to put it back on. Lets just say that the tile got coated, but that it wasn't very pretty... I will be taking the can back because I can't use it broken, and I couldn't get it back on. :o(...

So my next thing I think I want to get is a concrete sealer clear gloss... and try paintig that on.

Any thoughts? Otherwise??? I just want to find a suitable solution, I am just getting really frustrated with this whole thing. I just need something stronger and thicker but still relativly cheep and easy becuase I will be doing lots of them. The first one I did I also tested and although the oil based paint works perfectly it isn't very thick and the vinyl dented where I sat a wet glass for a couple of days.

Got together the two giveaway packages and I will be going to the post office tomorrow.

Friday, August 27, 2010

I want to let my two giveaway winners know that I just confirmed my fear... the junk filter caught both of your e-mails to me. Go figure. I can't check my junk filter on my phone and I just hopped on to see the e-mails from both of you. Note to self... make sure winners leave a comment on the giveaway post that they just e-mailed me for verification so that I don't miss the e-mail come across if it goes to the junk filter.

Anyways, I have the first one all put together, and I will probably send out the same thing for the second since I have all those goodies in multiples.

I was beginning to wonder if ya'll didn't want the giveaway. hehehe. Anyways, I will put these together and visit the post office tomorrow or Monday.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I know I didn't post the picture of the giveaway package for this week, but I promise it will be just as good as last weeks (which BTW Colette, you still need to e-mail me... leave me a comment if you did, I wonder if it got caught in a junk filter... you know because the only thing those darn filters actually catch is the good stuff). Now my lucky winner.... the random generator (as shown below) pulled #11 (linky tools lists out the number you entered in at) and that would be the the Repurposed Yard Sale Jewelry from the blog Southern Scraps. So make sure to send me an e-mail @ itssewstinkincute @ hotmail.com with your address or leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I will message to get a wonderful pack of goodies in your hands.

Like I said last week... I have tons of stuff to give away and hope that each week you enter to win, so if you didn't win... DON'T give up... I have SO MUCH more where that came from. So to enter for the giveaway you will need to link up a craft project or anything else that you can think of that you made could be food or something else creative (I'm not super picky folks). At the end of the linky party I pop the number of entries into the random number generator and it spits out the winner of the fabulous prize pack for the week. Be sure to enter so you have a chance to win.

There is no secret in my house that I LOVE fall. The colors, the cooler air, the vibe that just resonates just makes me smile. Needless to say, this project just says... Make me for your house for the fall. I love it! Brandy from Savin' Some describes it as Dollar Store Decor. With a name like that what is not to like. Inexpensive and adorable! Hopefully I can find some of those little balls to make my own.

Next we have a SUPER cute magnetic board game from Staci over at Just Sew Sassy. Looks like you and JJ will be having some fun playing chess and maybe checkers. Um, BTW... your family should be in a magazine... You, your husband and your three little tykes are ADORABLE! Hope your doing well with the first going off to kindergarten. My mom is a kinder teacher and I know how tough it can be to watch them grow up in a blink of an eye.

Thank you to all this weeks participants, congrats to Southern Scraps and for you two that were featured, go grab that featured button and have a FABULOUS Thursday folks!

Let's get to linkin'!! Rules:

1. Please link craft projects that you have done!2. Linky Tools will remain open until next Wednesday evening so there's plenty of time to link your projects!

TTFN~

Rules for linking:(1) Link to specific blog post, not blog home page!(2) Link craft projects that you have done!(3) Make sure to visit a few of the links and leave some comment love!(4) Linky Tools will remain open through Wednesday, September 1 so you have plenty of time to add your projects!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

So this is what I started with, two tables that were very sturdy and only $25 each, ok amount of space, but NO storage, I had my TV, and clutter everywhere. It was really hard to work because I couldn't find anything. Plus, there was no inspiration that made me say... oh I want to be in here. Let's just say it isn't that way now.

Here are the in progress pictures.

First with the painting:

Then with building the unit:

Then with the finished product (ok, fine almost finished - I still have some stuff to do and will post with those updates later):This one is a little messy at the bottom because I wasn't quite finished, but it had the good view of the room:

From the other angle, and as you can tell I am already using the room:

The ribbon holder (still needs to be finished with the black rods), Laci's Mother's Day painting that she gave to me, and then one of the mirrors I made:

The fourth wall which this is all you will see of it until I finish it up, it is still a little cluttered after scoring that major stash of scrapbooking goodies:

Inside my closet with a small (the rest of the closet is a disaster) view of some (not all) of the stuff I got from the scrapbooking goodies:

My TV stand with a picture of my hubby when he was little and my little Laci when she was a baby:

A view at the movies that are on constant replay in my craft room and I never get sick of them (they are listed out below the picture so that you don't have to squint to see them):* Her Best Move* Sleepover* Stripes* Stick It* She's The Man* Private Valentine* A Cinderella Story* Bring it On Fight to the Finish* Legally Blonde 1&2* Can't Buy Me Love* Ever After* The Trouble with Angels* Sydney White* One of the Cinderella Movies (with Whoppi as the Godmother)* What A Girl Wants

Anyways, I hope that you like it. I LOVE it, and am so thrilled with the space and storage that I have in there.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

I guess with going back to school (not me... I am done and graduated... maybe my masters down the line) I am just crazy with college stuff, I loved how these turned out, and am currently just on the quest to find good prices for all this stuff going forward.

So these mirrors are another work in progress and only lack a gerber daisy in the upper right hand corner to hide the seams for where the ruffle ended. What do you think? Any suggestions on things you would change?

It was so easy too. The mirrors as I have discussed before were only $5 from Home Depot and then the ruffle was a pre-done binding ruffle from Hobby Lobby, then coordinating ribbon to go with the logo color. Hot glue and a little time turned out some beautiful $10.00 gems to give away to those college students!

Do you know how difficult it is to take a picture of a mirror and you not be in it? Sorry for the smudges, I was in a hurry when I took them.

Tell me what you think because I am curious... Oh, and if I can remember to upload the picture of the finished room I will post my craft room re-do tomorrow.

Monday, August 23, 2010

I have until November to figure this out, but I want to start early. So I figured with my SCAL software, my Cricut and my Vinyl that I could come up with another really cute project. I saw these cute little tile coasters from My Computer is my Canvas and thought. Ok so this would be really cute in an edited format to give as gifts for those kids in college, going off to college, etc.

So with my software I cut out the vinyl and attached it to the coasters and then sprayed it with some double gloss stuff found in the hardware store (still looking for the Triple Thick she used, but the guy said that it was oil based and two coats should do about the same job). So I was thrilled when I sprayed them (still have to attach the felt to the bottom so that they don't scratch anything) and they looked so pretty. That was until I picked them up yesterday afternoon and found that on two of them the vinyl had pealed back a little bit. You can't really see in the picture, but it is pulling up.

I was thinking that by using vinyl that it would work better because it would stick with no problems... guess not. My next option is to try putting down the vinyl, then modge podge, then spraying them and seeing if that will seal in the vinyl.

Any ideas? I mean I guess I could try paper instead of vinyl, I just thought the vinyl would work so much better than the paper because it was already sticky on the back.

I wouldn't designate this is a craft fail yet, more like a craft in progress. I mean this is totally awesome because each tile costs less than 50 cents completed. I would think they will be a great gift for kids going into college. Give them a set of 4 and they will probably go nuts. I look forward to sharing my other college projects in the works right now. They are really cute and super fun to make.

Anyways, for now I need mondo help with figuring out what angle to try next. All ideas welcome!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Have you ever had a rice krispie treat and it was just really dry, didn't turn out how you wanted it to, and was just well... REALLY disapointing? Well you are in luck, I am going to share the secret family recipe for the best tasting Marshmallow Treats you have EVER had with just 4 ingredients.

Ingredients:(1) bag of small marshmallows (jiffy if available - they are really good)(1) stick of butter (doesn't have to be room temp, but goes a little faster if it is somewhat softer)(1) box of rice krispie cereal(1) Cap full of Vanilla

First take a microwave safe bowl and dump the whole package of small marshmallows and the stick of butter into the bowl and put in the microwave for 1 minute.

While that is in the microwave get a wooden spoon and douse it with Pam so that there will be no stickage. After the minute is up, pull the bowl out, stir and repeat until the marshmallows and butter is at a liquidy consistancey... you will know when it is ready. The marshmallows bubble up in the bowl, so just keep your eye on the microwave or you will have a mess to clean up.

If you want to add a color for a holiday you can do this really quick at this point because you will also be adding in the cap full of vanilla. Stir it all together and then start adding in the rice krispie cereal.

I think I usually end up using about 3/4 of the box, but when adding in towards the end, just go slowly, you want to make sure that it is all coated. Once you are done you will then lay it on a piece of wax paper or in a pan (coated with pam) to spread out.

***If you want to do shapes grab a cookie cutter (which has been coated with pam) and instead of cutting out the shapes, pack the rice krispies into the cookie cutter mold and then pull up. These shapes will be soft, so try not to move them for a couple minutes, or make them on top of a cookie sheet with wax paper on top and then pop it in the refrigerator for about 5-10 minutes... this way you can stack them faster.

You will be making treats that are not only tasty, but irristable in no time, and I can garentee that people will be going back for seconds and thirds and asking for the recipe.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

I didn't post much this week, but you probably did see the giveaway package that will go out to my lucky winner.... the random generator (as shown below) pulled #4 (linky tools lists out the number you entered in at) and that would be the SCRAPPY Subway Art entry from Colette from the blog My Computer Is My Canvas. I love her computer craftiness and hope I can one day be as good as this. Colette, send me an e-mail @ itssewstinkincute @ hotmail.com with your address or leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I will message to get that wonderful pack of goodies in your hands.

If you are down because you didn't win... DON'T give up... I have SO MUCH more where that came from. Now I can't send the acrylic stamps every week, but I have so much stuff to share and trust me. If you keep entering you are bound to win at some point. I will post a picture of this weeks stash later this week or first thing next week as a reminder to get your crafty project in.

I had a REALLY hard time limiting down to a couple choices this week, so I want to make some call outs and then post the two that I fell off my chair (or husband did) in love with!

My daughter would go crazy for the Superhero cape that was made over at The Nifty Nest GREAT job Liz! I love how it turned out!

Ashley over at Cute as a Fox made another one of her baby shower gift box cakes. I LOVE THEM and just think it is too stinkin cute how she decorated the layers this time! BTW Ashley... I am totally wearing my necklace right now and LOVE IT!!! If you want to know what I am talking about, check out Ashley's blog and click on the You Can Help Button over there to support Breast Cancer research. It is a great cause!

It is no secret in my family that my mom and I both LOVE ladybugs. Haley over at The Autocrat threw the most adorable Ladybug Baby Shower. I mean SUPER Stinkin' Cute!!! To get more ideas, go check it out!

Now, from time to time my husband checks out my blog. It's really cute when he mentions something about it, and he was checking out the entries for last weeks Thursday post and said, "This is really a neat idea and is really cute!" I totally agree with him and knew that this would have to be a feature of today, because when a man thinks your idea is cute... there is nothing left to say... so go check out Red Ted Art's Blog site which shows you how to make the most adorable EASY, flannel cupcakes.

Thank you to all this weeks participants, congrats to Colette and for those of you that were featured, go grab that featured button and have a GREAT Thursday folks!

Let's get to linkin'!! Rules:

1. Please link craft projects that you have done!2. Linky Tools will remain open until next Wednesday evening so there's plenty of time to link your projects!

TTFN~

Rules for linking:(1) Link to specific blog post, not blog home page!(2) Link craft projects that you have done!(3) Make sure to visit a few of the links and leave some comment love!(4) Linky Tools will remain open through Wednesday, August 25th so you have plenty of time to add your projects!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Ok, like totally awesome! This site Giveaway Scout seriously posts giveaways... I mean really how fun is that! So I am signing up for this because for one thing I want to share my giveaways and for another I want to have a constant reminder of the awesome giveaways I could sign up for... go check them out and try your hand at winning something! Good Luck!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Ok, so I know shame on me for not posting this week. It has been nothing short of insane at work and today is the first day I really have had a chance to breathe. It is in part due to the fact that my boss is out of the office today. ;o) Ok, so I had mentioned doing a giveaway to get increased participation. Well my luck had it that my old job sent a message to me that they were giving TONS (literally in weight) of stuff away. You just had to stuff as much as you could in your car. Needless to say I got 11 large boxes of crafty goodness. This company had the best rubs and my favorite jotters (will picture later). So I figured I would give some of that stuff away every week. I will do one giveaway a week and for each participant entry you will get the number assigned by the linky tool. When the linky tool closes I will do a random number generator and the winner will be posted in the following weeks Craft Thursday.

This week our numbers decreased but there are two that I really want to share with you...

Next we have Belle from two sisters' quest to build a Beautiful Nest has shown us how to make a simple yet adorable apron. I keep telling myself I need one, maybe this time it will be easy enough for me to tackle. I need to pull out my sewing machine so bad and work on some stuff, just can't seem to find the time. Eh, it will happen one day soon hopefully!

I love all the ideas and things from this week! Be sure to grab a featured button if you don't already have one and thank you everyone for your participation.

Let's get to linkin'!! Rules:

1. Please link craft projects that you have done!2. Linky Tools will remain open until next Wednesday evening so there's plenty of time to link your projects!

TTFN~

Rules for linking:(1) Link to specific blog post, not blog home page!(2) Link craft projects that you have done!(3) Make sure to visit a few of the links and leave some comment love!(4) Linky Tools will remain open through Wednesday, August 18th so you have plenty of time to add your projects!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Ok, so a vague update from last Thursday. I did great, and got the result I was looking for. Because of the nature of my job I can't give a ton of updates, but it went great!

Thank you to everyone who joined in last week. Our numbers are climbing every week and it makes me so excited to see everyones items. I still have a few comments to leave, but I have looked at everything. Here goes with this weeks features... drum roll please \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Ok so I have to make a mention really quick.... Ashley from Cute as a Fox has me now hooked on Sure Cuts A Lot software for my cricut, so if you want to check it out go see the paper cake treat boxes she made with it. If you have any questions I am sure she would be willing to answer them since she is a SCAL rep.

Ashley also is trying to help her sister raise money for the 3 day. If you donate $15.00 she will make and send you either a key chain or necklace (necklace shown below). Visit her site to check it out! You can also click on the button below.

Ever since I got my new camera I have been toying with the idea of getting a light box or something to easily take pictures. I have seen a couple different sights with the idea of using the cardstock, but I love how AliLilly used the newspaper or a book (I think it is a book) and jar as accents in the photos. It is really neat!

Over at Handmade by Annabelle she has given a verbal tutorial on how to make a rag basket. This would be so easy and perfect for making baskets instead of buying them. I mean you can buy rope a LOT cheeper than you can buy cute baskets. I mean what a way to match your gift than a basket that is cute, functional and can be used later! LOVE IT! Will make some soon!

Am I the only one that didn't know you can cut fabric on your cricut? I mean with SCAL the posibilities are endless... and I about fell head over heals when I found this out. It makes me want to go home right now and do it. Over at The Little Green Bean (love the blog name by the way... so fun and cute!) Missy has shown us how she used her cricut to make appliques. AWESEOME Missy... I LOVE IT!

I love all the ideas and things from this week! Be sure to grab a featured button if you don't already have one and thank you everyone for your participation.

Let's get to linkin'!! Rules:

1. Please link craft projects that you have done!2. Linky Tools will remain open until next Wednesday evening so there's plenty of time to link your projects!

TTFN~

Rules for linking:(1) Link to specific blog post, not blog home page!(2) Link craft projects that you have done!(3) Make sure to visit a few of the links and leave some comment love!(4) Linky Tools will remain open through Wednesday, August 11th (my hubby's birthday) so you have plenty of time to add your projects!

About Me

I am a 30 year old mother of a beautiful little girl Laci, wife to Jake - who is an amazing man, and crafter that is a glutton for punishment. I love to try new things, get ideas from all of the wonderful blogs out there in cyber space and make stuff for my beautiful little one! Feel free to contact me at itssewstinkincute @ hotmail.com